41% Of US Households Now Buy Vegan Milk, Says Data

A staggering 41 percent of US households now purchase vegan milk, according to market data company IRI.

The data, which was taken throughout 2019, was shared by the Good Food Institute (GFI) and the Plant Based Foods Association, as part of an annual report showing the growth of the plant-based sector.

According to the organizations, the sector is now worth around $5 billion in the US, with plant-milk the biggest category, surpassing $2 billion and accounting for 40 percent of the total plant-based food market.

41% of US households now buy plant milk, data shows

Plant-milk sales growth

Despite being the biggest category within the plant-based sector, non-dairy milk still saw dollar sales growth of five percent in 2019. By comparison, cow’s milk sales were flat.

Within the category, almond milk is the leader, making up 65 percent of dollar sales.

The fastest-growing alternative milk is oat – which saw dollar sales skyrocket by a staggering 686 percent in 2019.

Oat milk sales skyrocketed in the US in 2019

‘Shifting consumer values’

Caroline Bushnell, the associate director of corporate engagement for The Good Food Institute, says that shifting consumer values have ‘created a favorable market for plant-based foods’, which have ‘significantly outpaced overall grocery sales increases for three years running’.

Describing plant-based foods as ‘a growth engine for both manufacturers and retailers’, she added: “This is really only the beginning: plant-based foods will continue to expand rapidly across the store in response to demand as consumers increasingly switch to foods that match their changing values and desire for more sustainable options. We expect further acceleration in 2020.”